Swine flu outbreak has parents on alert

ASHFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The nation has recorded 64 confirmed cases of swine flu in five states. Now Massachusetts Public Health officials are on high alert.

Nine students from across Massachusetts are being closely monitored by health officials after returning from vacation in Mexico.

Seven of those students are from the Franklin County town of Ashfield. The sixth grade students at Sanderson Academy were in Mexico City for an exchange program at a local school.

The group was supposed to stay until May 6, but once news of the swine flu outbreak broke, the schools' principal brought the group back early.

The students have been tested and will be monitored for two days before being allowed back to school.

Local parents told 22News they are taking the news as it comes.

“I think it's probably smart to be cautious about something like that,” Ali Wicks-Lim of Amherst said. “I would certainly keep him home and pay close attention if he showed any signs of illness at this point.”

Franklin County Public Health officials have advised anyone with flu like symptoms to stay home and said people should be practicing good infection control.

“I think we should just listen to what the authorities tell us. Follow their advice -- wash our hands, sneeze into our elbows, put hand sanitizer on,” Maria Danielson of Greenfield said.